The Jakpa Syndrome and the Future of University Education in Nigeria
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Date
2025-06-21
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UAT Library
Abstract
The phenomenon popularly referred to as the Jakpa Syndrome—a colloquial term in Nigeria describing the mass exodus of skilled professionals, particularly youth, to foreign countries—has become increasingly prevalent and impactful in the realm of higher education. This paper examines the causes, dynamics, and long-term implications of the Jakpa Syndrome on the future of university education in Nigeria. Drawing on empirical data from surveys and interviews with students, faculty, and educational policymakers across six federal universities, the study explores how aspirations for migration are influencing academic commitment, staffing, curriculum design, and national capacity-building. The findings reveal a growing disillusionment with the Nigerian education system, exacerbated by underfunding, insecurity, and limited career prospects, leading both students and lecturers to seek opportunities abroad. The resulting brain drain threatens the sustainability of local academic institutions, weakens research output, and erodes institutional memory. The paper argues that without strategic interventions—such as reforms in academic governance, investment in infrastructure, and policies that incentivize talent retention—the Nigerian university system may face a deepening crisis of relevance and competitiveness in the global knowledge economy. Recommendations for reversing the trend and fostering a more resilient and attractive academic environment are proposed.
Description
The Jakpa Syndrome is a growing sociocultural and economic phenomenon in Nigeria characterized by the increasing desire and determination—especially among the youth and professionals—to emigrate in search of better opportunities abroad. The term "Jakpa," derived from Yoruba slang meaning "to flee" or "to escape," has become widely used to describe the wave of skilled migration affecting virtually every sector of Nigerian society, including higher education.
In the context of university education, the Jakpa Syndrome manifests in two critical ways: the outflow of students seeking foreign education and the exodus of academic staff in pursuit of more stable and rewarding careers overseas. This dual pressure on the Nigerian university system has far-reaching implications for its sustainability, quality, and global competitiveness.
On the student side, increasing numbers of undergraduates and postgraduates are actively preparing for or already enrolled in institutions abroad. This trend is driven by declining academic standards, frequent industrial actions by university unions, outdated facilities, and a lack of international exposure. For many, studying abroad is no longer just an aspiration but a strategic escape from a system perceived as dysfunctional.
Among academic staff, the syndrome is leading to a silent but steady brain drain. Talented lecturers, researchers, and administrators are leaving Nigerian universities for roles in more stable academic environments in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. This has resulted in faculty shortages, loss of mentorship, reduced research output, and institutional stagnation.
The cumulative effect of the Jakpa Syndrome threatens the future of Nigerian university education. It challenges the system’s ability to retain talent, innovate curricula, maintain global academic standards, and fulfill its nation-building mandate. If left unaddressed, this trend could deepen educational inequality, compromise national development, and limit Nigeria’s capacity to participate in the global knowledge economy.
This paper/project seeks to explore the roots, patterns, and consequences of the Jakpa Syndrome within the university sector, and to propose actionable recommendations for mitigating its impact. Key focus areas include policy reform, institutional resilience, investment in academic infrastructure, and the cultivation of a more enabling environment for both learning and teaching in Nigeria.